Action Learning Sets

Action Learning Sets are a structured method enabling small groups to address complicated issues by meeting regularly and working collectively.

This tool is especially geared to learning and personal development at the professional and managerial levels.

Action learning sets are particularly appropriate for profes-sional and managerial-level learning and personal develop-ment work. They are most often used:

Action Learning is a powerful approach for working on difficult problems in professional practice and helps set standards for good practice in organizational learning.

WHAT THEY ARE BENEFITS

KEY POINTS AND PRACTICAL TIPS

This practical guide was developed to accompany the e-learning course entitled "Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques" published by the EC-FAO Food Security Information for Action Programme and available at www.foodsec.org. This guide and the associated e-learning materials are based on the ODI's Research and Policy in Development (RAPID) programme publication by Ben Ramalingam entitled "Tools for Knowledge and Learning: A guide for development and humanitarian organisations" available at www.odi.org.uk/rapid.

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

on work-based projects where action learning set members are involved and are able to influence the outcomes.

for issues concerning how specific action learning set members operate in the work context (e.g. creating partnerships).

RAPID Toolkit - Tools for Knowledge and Learning: A guide for development and humanitarian organisations, Ben Ramalingam, July 2006 www.odi.org.uk/Rapid/Publications/Documents/KM_toolkit_web.pdf

EC-FAO Food Security Information for Action Programme e-learning course: Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques www.foodsec.org/DL

CECLAC - Collecting and Exchangeof Local Agriculture Content www.celac.or.ug

BOND Action Learning Programme, focuses on UK NGOs - Networking for International Development www.bond.org.uk/lte/alsets.htm#aboutal

Karamagi Akiiki, E. 2006. Towards improving farmers’ livelihoods through exchange of local agricultural content in rural Uganda. KM4D Journal 2(1): 68-77 www.km4dev.org/journal/index.php/km4dj/article/viewFile/53/150

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Action Learning Sets are most effective when they are voluntary.

They should focus on real-life practice-related problems, especially those which are open-ended in nature and do not have a right or wrong answer.

The ground rules for action learning sets should include:– being honest with oneself and others;– respecting others and their viewpoint; and– taking responsibility for our own actions.

The Action Learning process is a cyclical one, giving each member the opportunity to present a problem and comment on others:

[www.odi.org.uk/Rapid/Tools/Toolkits/KM/Action_learning.html]

THE PROCESS

Start-Present your challenge, problem, issue or your question.

Test out taking action in the workspace.

Mark learning, draw conclusions, define learning from experience. Integrate new knowledge into your practice.

Bring results back to set-what worked/didn't? Why?

Set members question you constructively to challenge views and understanding, perceptions, assumptions. Others share knowledge-invited by presenter of issue.

Insight? New understanding, ideas on taking action?

it offers participants an opportunity for personal development;

it improves problem solving, as well as questioning and listening skills;

it helps participants tackle complex tasks; and

it allows participants to learn from other organiza-tions facing similar challenges.

The following are some of its most relevant benefits:

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This guide has been developed using materials provided by the Overseas

Development Institute's Research and Policy in Development (RAPID) Programme

The EC - FAO Food Security Information for Action Programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by FAO